Two Mobile Phone Thieves Nabbed During Ganpati Visarjan in Pune; 13 Phones Recovered
Pune, 8th September 2025: Faraskhana police have arrested two thieves from Malegaon, Nashik district, for stealing mobile phones of devotees during the Ganpati Visarjan procession. In the operation, the police seized 13 mobile phones collectively worth around ₹1.78 lakh.
The thefts occurred around 3 am on Saturday in crowded areas such as Belbag Chowk, Laxmi Road, and Budhwar Peth, where thousands had gathered to witness the immersion. Following complaints from devotees, a case was registered at Faraskhana police station, and a special investigation team was set up under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Prashant Bhasme.
Acting on intelligence inputs, police arrested two suspects near Pasodya Vithoba Temple. They were identified as Aleem Mustaq Sheikh (26) and Attar Ahmed Ejaz Ahmed (25), both residents of Malegaon, Nashik.
During interrogation, the duo confessed to the thefts, and 13 mobile phones of various companies were recovered from their possession.
The operation was carried out by a team comprising Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Mehboob Mokashi, Tanaji Nangre, Nitin Telange, Gajanan Sonune, Mahesh Pawar, Chetan Holkar, Mahesh Rathod, Praveen Pasalkar, Vishal Shinde, Prashant Palande, Sumit Khutte, Shashikant Nanaware, Vasim Shaikh and Manisha Pukale.
Additional Commissioner of Police Rajesh Bansode and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Krushikesh Rawale commended the team for their swift and efficient action.
